Amsterdam: Living the Dream Past Review
By Matthew M (Humanities, Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 01/28/2015 to 06/01/2015 with
IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities
The IES program in Amsterdam was the most incredible thing I could have ever imagined. I know that always sounds cheesy to say, but there is no other way to describe it. I made some of the greatest friends I could have ever asked for, I was immersed in the culture, and I even learned some Dutch. But one of the most valuable things I gained from this experience was broadening my views of people, culture, and the world. The Dutch way of life made me appreciate every walk of life, every detail of every activity I did, and opened my mind to so many different ideas and lifestyles.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Studying in Amsterdam is a ton of fun, but you definitely have to buckle down to do your work also. It was a very good balance though because classes only met once a week (in my case at least). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
THE IES STAFF WAS AMAZING. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a studio apartment with a roommate, so it was a bit cramped for space, but I was rarely in the room any time other than sleeping. |
| * Food: |
Stroopwafels and pancakes are a MUST. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Dutch people are awesome and very friendly. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Never had to worry about my safety. It is an amazing place with little crime. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go out to eat every night, make sure you cook your own food too! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
All Dutch people speak English, so when Dutch people hear you struggling to say something in Dutch, they just start speaking in English to you. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | It is not necessary, but if you want to learn it, you have to spend time practicing. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | No one should stand in the way of your abroad experience or make you ever have a bad day. If someone annoys you one day or says something you don't like, just brush it off and don't let it bother you. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
